Interviewer: Bobby, it’s great to catch up with you again. The last time we spoke was right before Everybody dropped. A lot has happened since then. Let’s start with Ultra 85. It’s been seven years since you hinted at it in Everybody’s liner notes, and it’s finally coming out this week. Why did it take so long?
Logic: Yeah, man, I remember that day like it was yesterday. Time flies, right? As for Ultra 85, I guess the short answer is I just didn’t feel like doing it right away. I had planned on it, but after Everybody, I realized I wanted to explore different ideas first. That’s how Confessions of a Dangerous Mind came about—I was more into diving into the concept of mainstream media in hip-hop, playing around with different characters and perspectives. Then I did No Pressure, which was a sequel to my debut Under Pressure. Meanwhile, Ultra 85 was always in the back of my mind, evolving.
It became a thing with my fans too. They started building up this myth around it, making it bigger than I initially intended. But I didn’t want to rush it just because people were expecting it. If I’m not 100% into something, I’m not gonna do it. Now, looking back, I’m glad I waited. This album feels like the perfect farewell to that chapter of my life, the journey from that kid in the basement to where I am now. It’s a very raw, unfiltered Logic album. If you love Logic, you’ll love this album; if you hate me, you’ll probably hate it [laughs]. It’s like opening a journal of the last 15 years, and I’m putting a button on the story of Thomas and Kai. After this, I’ll just be making beats, working on projects like the album with Seth MacFarlane. Why did it take so long? Because I wasn’t ready, and now I am.
Interviewer: I think your fans will appreciate the honesty. The album opens with “Paul Rodriguez,” a nine-minute track that feels very unrestrained. You’re just going for it. Was that intentional?
Logic: Definitely. It’s cool that you picked up on that. There was a moment when I thought, “Is this too much?” But then I realized, who cares? I’m the artist, and this is my art. I’ve reached a point where I’m more comfortable with just letting things flow. If people like it, cool. If not, that’s cool too. Once you put your art into the world, it’s not yours anymore, and you have to be okay with that. It took me a long time to not just accept that, but to understand it.
Interviewer: I love how Ultra 85 uses pop culture references to tell your story. For example, the track “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” talks about your life through the lens of Quentin Tarantino’s films. You’ve always been a fan of his work, especially with the Bobby Tarantino series. Have you ever met Tarantino?
Logic: Nah, I’ve never met him or heard from him. It’s funny because on The Incredible True Story, which was kind of a prequel to Ultra 85, Thomas and Kai talk about what they think my favorite Tarantino movie is. That question has been haunting me for the last decade [laughs]. Everywhere I go, fans ask me, “What’s your favorite Tarantino movie?” So, it was cool to finally address that on this album.
Interviewer: Your career has been a rollercoaster, from cult status to major stardom, then retiring and unretiring. You’ve even stepped away from the internet, which is rare for someone in your position. How has that impacted you?
Logic: Honestly, it’s been life-changing. There was a time when I was super plugged in, posting constantly, feeding that social media beast. I was getting a million views per Instagram story, doing like 10 a day. But it was exhausting, and at some point, I realized it wasn’t worth it. Now, I let my management handle the socials when I have something to release, and I just live my life. I moved to Oregon, got 80 acres of land, and I’m out here with my wife and two sons, happy as fuck. I’m still making music, writing, working on films, but it’s on my own terms.
Interviewer: That sounds like a much healthier way to approach things. You’ve mentioned that Ultra 85 is a farewell to this era of your life. What’s next for you?
Logic: Yeah, Ultra 85 is kind of closing the chapter on the past 15 years. After this, I’m gonna be focused on new creative projects that excite me. I’m working on an album with Seth MacFarlane, which is gonna be a lot of fun. But beyond that, I’m just taking things as they come. I’ve done the grind, and now it’s about enjoying the process without all the noise. I’m in a good place, man.
Interviewer: Sounds like you’re in a great spot, creatively and personally. Thanks for taking the time to chat, Bobby. I’m sure your fans are going to love Ultra 85.